Frank Ernest Allwood

Frank Ernest Allwood was found dead in a barn by the side of the road near Woodstock, Tackley on the evening of Thursday 13 October 1904.

He was a carpenter from Marston Green near Birmingham. He had left his home the month before with £7 to look for work. His body was discovered in a barn covered with straw and rubbish and his head had been battered in. All that was found on him was 10½d  in bronze.

His trousers, socks and boots were also missing.

The barn had been just off the Oxford and Banbury road near Tackley. He had previously left his home on 13 September 1904 in search of employment. He was described as having been very steady in his habits and it was heard that since leaving home that he had sent his mother two post cards.

His body was first discovered by the Vicar of Wotton who happened to be passing and saw a naked foot protruding from a heap of straw and rubbish. However, he thought that the foot belonged to a sleeping tramp and didn't do anything. The foot was later seen by two other men who told the police.

When the police arrived they found a heavy rail near his body that was splattered with blood.

It was thought that robbery was the motive because when they searched him they found that the £7 he was proven to have had was missing as well as his silver watch.

The doctor that examined his body said that he had a fracture of the skull that extended from one ear to the other and over the left the bones were comminuted down to the base of the jaw. He said that it was impossible for the injuries, which he said would have caused immediate death, to have been self-inflicted.

He added that on his throat there were marks of a thumb and finger, showing that Frank Allwood had been violently assaulted.

Two tramps had been seen acting suspiciously near the time but were never traced.

A schoolmaster from Oxford said that he had met Frank Allwood on the Wednesday evening whilst cycling near North Aston. He said that at the same time he saw a man resembling a tramp about 30 yards from him, standing under a hedge, and another a few yards further on standing near the hedge.

He said that the first man appeared to be about 50 years of age, wearing a battered hard bowler and a long black coat and to have had side whiskers and a long ragged black beard.

He said that the other man had been dressed as a navvy and was about 30 years of age.

He said that he had been so suspicious of the men that he had got off his machine and had a good look at them, and said that after hearing of the finding of the body he had gone to the police to give his information.

Several people were arrested but no one was convicted.

His inquest returned a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

In 1906 a labourer confessed to his murder but his confession was discredited and he was discharged.